McArthur|City Report Aims To Settle Uber VS. Cabbies Argument Once And For All

Toronto, ON, Canada / Talk Radio AM640

Posted: September 09, 2015 03:16 pm

The relationship between Toronto cabbies and Uber drivers is a tense one. Cab drivers have long said Uber is luring away customers and cutting into their profits. Since Uber does not have to abide by the same rules, cab companies have been saying Uber has an unfair advantage. The matter was put to council earlier this summer, and now a city staff report, which reviewed the existing bylaws, has been released which seeks to level the playing field between the two. The main recommendations made by the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division includes dropping the base taxi fee by $1, from $4.25 to $3.25 and the creation of a new licensing category to be known as the Transportation Network Companies that would require drivers to pay annual permit fees, consent to background checks and have commercial liability insurance.

Will the suggested fare cut lure people away from Uber? Are these regulations enough?